India`s multi-award winning, favourite airline launches aggressive outreach plans

Kingfisher Airlines, India`s fastest growing airline commenced operations with a brand new fleet of aircraft on May 9th 2005. India`s first Full Frills-True Value carrier, Kingfisher Airlines started with just four flights daily and today, it offers 108 flights daily connecting 17 key Indian business and leisure destinations and has won three prestigious awards from Aviation Experts, Aviation Business Research Analysts and Travel and Tourism Writers of international repute.

Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) bestowed upon Kingfisher Airlines the "Best New Airline of the Year" Award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region. It was soon followed by "Service Excellence for a New Airline" award from Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor. More recently, the "Best New Domestic Airline for Excellent Services and Cuisine" award from Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), the biggest travel writers` organisation, representing members from 70 countries across the globe. Lastly in a survey conducted by the Times of India – India`s leading daily newspaper, 46% of the participants voted Kingfisher Airlines `The Best Airline" and "India`s Favourite Carrier". These awards are known as the hallmark of performance and achievement across the world and are much sought-after by airlines and aviation related companies.

Kingfisher Airlines has also been ranked as the Third "Most Successful Brand launch of 2005", under the Brand Derby Survey conducted by India`s leading business daily – Business Standard. In addition, the brand Kingfisher has been ranked amongst the Top Ten buzziest brands of 2005, across product categories, in the "Buzziest Brands of 2005" survey conducted by agencyfaqs.com and Brand Reporter.

This award-winning experience will now be available across North America through the recent enabling of a Global Distribution System (GDS) platform. GDS-enabled travel agents across North America will be able to access Kingfisher Airlines ticket inventory. In addition Kingfisher Airlines was most recently accredited with ARC, the principal airline ticket fulfillment and settlement program, thereby giving Kingfisher Airlines inventory, fulfillment and settlement access to over 22,000 ARC agents in the United States. Kingfisher Airlines will be accessible to all IATA – BSP agents in Canada as well.
The last 3 months have seen some strong moves made by the airline which include the appointment of 60 distributors across the US and Canada regions, expansion of corporate travel contracts and plans to set up Point-of-Sale units to increase depth of distribution penetration.

Kingfisher Airlines has also acquired supplier membership status with leading industry organizations such as ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), ACTA (Association of Canadian Travel Agents) and TIA (Travel Industry Association) thereby enabling an interface across a collective membership of over 50,000 travel companies in North America.

Kingfisher Airlines is close to effecting inter-line agreements with over 22 airlines operating into India thereby acquiring rights to transfer guests arriving into India from major international gateways to other destinations in India.

Kingfisher Airlines` pricing in the North American region is very competitive and aligned to the needs of the traveling consumers. The product offering would include, among others, King Saver coupons, Kingfisher India Visit fares etc. Kingfisher Airlines guest transferring from international connections will have the first experience of Kingfisher Airlines hospitality at the international transfers guest booths at the main gateways in Indian airports. The transfer booths will assist arriving international guests with baggage transfer, completion of check-in formalities and terminal transfer.

Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman & CEO, Kingfisher Airlines said, "The United States is a very important market for Indian Aviation and Kingfisher Airlines understands the importance of providing this market with the right infrastructure and distribution support to enable a guest to buy a Kingfisher Airlines ticket effortlessly. To ensure added support to the trade, we have also appointed a Regional Director of Sales in New York to oversee and manage our sales operations. I am confident that we will be able to replicate the success of Kingfisher Airlines in the North American market as well".

Commenting on the US operations, Mr. Sudhan Thomas, Regional Director United States said "Keeping in mind our overall business plan and objectives, North America is a market of high strategic value and importance for Kingfisher Airlines. We have established a strong distribution frame work in a short period of time. The Kingfisher Airlines product & service offering is unparalleled in the Indian aviation industry and we are confident that with the support of our travel agency partners we will be able to position Kingfisher Airlines as the leading player in the North America – India travel market. Kingfisher Airlines has also set up a 24-hour toll-free Help Line (1 800 4 FLY KFA) in the United States & Canada and bookings can be made online at www.flykingfisher.com"

Kingfisher Airlines is committed to the spirit of innovation and offers its guests the unparalleled `Good Times` experience.

For the first time in Indian skies, Kingfisher Airlines offers world-class, in-flight entertainment with personalized video screens on every seat with 10 channels of chartbusting Kingfisher Radio and 5 channels of the trendy FUN TV. The Kingfisher Class experience also includes extra-wide seats, spacious leg room and large overhead storage space, international-class cabin crew and designer interiors. Kingfisher Airlines offers gourmet meals featuring six different vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In addition to the Kingfisher Class, Kingfisher Airlines has recently introduced its premium service – Kingfisher First, which will redefine business class flying in India.

Kingfisher Airlines also features an advanced Airborne Communications Addressing and Reporting System – ACARS– that continuously monitors and keeps watch over every aircraft, even while it is in flight. Kingfisher Airlines is the first private carrier in India to be equipped with ACARS. This system, combined with centralized flight dispatch, enables better management all round. Kingfisher Airlines enjoys a technical edge on account of its unique fleet specifications, and combined with new-plane reliability, guests can expect unparalleled on-time performance.

Kingfisher Airline is the only airline in India to have placed orders for 5 A380s, 5 A350s, 5A340s, and 5 A330s for its international operations. Kingfisher Airlines plans to be one of India`s leading airlines by 2010.

About Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines is India`s first and only private airline to receive the prestigious, `Best New Airline of the Year` award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region from Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). Kingfisher Airlines has also been voted as the 3rd Most Successful Brand Launch of the Year 2005, in the annual Brand Derby Survey conducted by India`s leading business daily-Business Standard. In another Survey conducted by agencyfaqs.com and Brand Reporter, Kingfisher was voted as the 7th Buzziest Brand of 2005 amongst 2000 leading national and international brands. More recently, Kingfisher Airlines has bagged the "Service Excellence for a New Airline" award from Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor.
Another addition to the list of laurels is the "Best New Domestic Airline for Excellent Services and Cuisine" award from Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), the biggest travel writers` organization, across the globe, that conducts independent annual surveys across various industries related with Travel and Tourism in order to select the best in each category. Lastly in a survey conducted by IMB for Times of India, 46% of the participants voted Kingfisher Airlines `The Best Airline" and "India`s Favourite Carrier". Kingfisher Airlines commenced operations on May 9, 2005 with a brand new fleet of aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines offers Full Service at True Value and promises an unparalleled experience to the Indian air traveler. On offer are extra-wide seats and spacious leg room, delicious gourmet meals, international-class cabin crew and a whole host of comforts and delights. Kingfisher Airlines also facilitates doorstep delivery of tickets on guest request. Kingfisher Airlines has further raised the bar by introducing the Indian business traveler to a premium product- Kingfisher First, the finest experience in the Indian skies. For more information on Kingfisher Airlines log on to www.flykingfisher.com . Fly the Good Times with Kingfisher Airlines.